Brian Johnson ‘Amazed’ After Sampling New Hearing-Aid Technology

Brian Johnson has met with an inventor hoping to provide him with newly developed in-ear monitors that could help him return to the stage without risking further hearing loss — and he says he came away "amazed."

As previously reported, the former AC/DC singer was contacted by Stephen Ambrose after word got out that he'd been forced to suspend touring activity — and ultimately had to leave the lineup — on the advice of doctors who warned that he risked total hearing loss if he continued to perform.

According to a Facebook post published by Ambrose on June 2, the two recently shared a productive meeting, during which Johnson sampled Ambrose's "breakthrough ADEL hearing technology." Judging by Johnson's response, it would seem that the device does exactly what it's supposed to.

"It WORKS. It just totally works and you can't argue with that," said Johnson in a press release. "I was really moved and amazed to be able to hear music again like I haven't heard for several years now. I can't wait for it to be miniaturized so I can use it in every situation from normal communication, going out to noisy restaurants, to performing live music onstage."

Johnson's remarks would seem to indicate that the ADEL device is still a work in progress, and it isn't yet known when or how he'll be able to use it in a professional capacity. But as he told fans in an open letter after his departure from AC/DC, he has no plans to retire: "While the outcome is uncertain, my attitude is optimistic."